A spokeswoman for the golf course said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the terrible accident near the entrance to our property.”

Mrs Davidson added: “It is not a road that has led to many concerns and traffic on the road has reduced a lot since the recent changes have been made with the AWPR.”

Mrs Davidson’s fellow Ellon and District councillor Richard Thomson said: “It is terrible news to hear the driver has died following this accident. My thoughts are very much with everyone affected.

“I’d encourage anyone who might have been in the area at the time, or who might have seen the vehicle involved, to contact the police so they might be able to establish how this tragic accident could have happened.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “At the request of police, fire crews attended a road traffic collision on the A90.

“The call came through at 3.07pm and two appliances – one from Ellon and one from Central Station in Aberdeen – attended. They left at 3.38pm.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We received a call about the crash at 3.05pm on Saturday. The road was closed to allow inquiries to be conducted and local diversions were in place.”